“Never on schedule, always on time,” Nas raps in his track Can’t Forget About You. Those words resonate deeply. They capture the essence of what it feels like to be a late bloomer—someone who always seems slightly out of sync, perpetually arriving at life’s milestones just a little offbeat. For years, I’ve felt like a boy out of step, moving too far ahead, veering slightly to the right, or hesitating half a step to the left. Never quite where I was supposed to be. Yet, even as I’ve felt late to the game, I’ve always been grateful for the chance to play.
This sense of being "late" has shaped much of my life and work. I’ve learned to navigate the tension between frustration and gratitude. The frustration of wanting to simplify everything into actionable, practical steps. The gratitude for the lessons learned through missteps and moments of “failing forward.”
Today, much of the work I do is driven by a sense of urgency—not out of desperation or nervousness, but out of clarity. It’s the realization that the trials, errors, and humble struggles I’ve faced were not in vain. Instead, they were essential experiences that equipped me with the tools, perspective, and, perhaps, a touch of wisdom to guide others. These challenges weren’t roadblocks but stepping stones, preparing me to help young people navigate the same pitfalls and obstacles I once stumbled through.
Cultivating Growth in Unconventional Ways
There is no one path to blooming. Growth is often unconventional, especially for young people trying to find their footing in a world that doesn’t always nurture their potential. Systems that are meant to guide can sometimes feel indifferent—or even obstructive—to their growth. But the seeds of self-liberation lie within each of us, waiting for the right conditions to flourish.
At the Moral Guerrilla Foundation, we strive to create those conditions. We aim to help young people break free from dependency on systems that don’t serve their full potential and instead cultivate their independence. Our goal is to nurture individuals who are principled, resolute, and ready to contribute constructively to society.
It’s not about creating perfection—it’s about fostering the kind of growth that comes from embracing imperfection, learning from it, and moving forward with intention. Late bloomers, early bloomers, or anywhere in between, we all have the power to grow into who we’re meant to be.
As someone who has experienced what it means to bloom late, I stand here not from a place of superiority but from one of shared experience. My hope is to guide, support, and empower others as they find their path and flourish in their own time.
After all, blooming isn’t about the timing—it’s about the journey.